Diandra, I am not a clinical health professional but (day job) have published some work on the basis of Alzheimer's Disease.

I think that the evidence is clear that Alzheimer's Disease is not "one disease" in the same sense that cancer is not "one disease". Rather, it is a multitude of conditions with some clinical signs in common. That means that a "one size fits all" (dietary supplements or anything else) approach is unlikely to be generally effective.

We have a lot more to learn about this.

On a personal note, my mother-in-law died from Alzheimer's Disease. She forgot everything - in the end-stage she was unable to recognise a photo of her husband. My wife and I did the best that we could as did her care team.

She died peacefully.

Hi Kiwi,

My Mum was the same as your MiL, but to the extreme. She lost all her memories of her life and family after age 6. It was devastating to us to be written out of her life totally. My Dad, our family (even her younger siblings) and years of travelling and living all around the World meant nothing as she was robbed of it all by this cruellest of diseases.

I am afraid she did not pass peacefully. She suffered hallucinations to which she reacted violently and, despite our best efforts and her wishes when she was well, spent the last years of her life in a Care Home. She was well looked after, but deteriorated from week one as she wasn't thinking for herself anymore.

Thankfully, there is a list of illnesses ready to take me before I reach a dangerous time, my last brain MRI showed lesions but no atrophy or plaque.

Dave.

Dave, thank you for sharing with me.

I really appreciate it.

I have friends who work with supps that work directly with the memory etc. A couple younger friends do have the fear of Alz as they had it in their parents. Another says she feels sharper on the Prevegan she takes...she's gotten off it says she misses it. She's going back on.

So much is unknown and genetics play a role is about everything health wise. Years ago when I heard about the aluminum issue, I got rid of all aluminum cookware, stopped using foil for the most part, so I don't know how much connection there is valid...don't know.

Caroline, the link between aluminium and risk of AD remains controversial - I don't think that there is yet any clear evidence either way.

As far as Prevagen is concerned, you may find the information in this link of interest; http://myadvocates.com/blog/dangerou...-investigation .

The central issue is that Prevagen is taken by mouth and its allegedly therapeutic ingredient (apoaequorin) is a protein.

All proteins are broken down into their amino acids during digestion. Quoting from the link:

"The product cannot work as advertised because its only purported active ingredient, apoaequorin (a protein), is completely destroyed by the digestive system and transformed into common amino acids no different than those derived from other common food products."

Because of this, taking any protein which may be of therapeutic benefit by mouth is pointless.

Thanks, I brought this to my friend's attention again. She was going to get back on Prevagen. In the meantime I did a search on swansons search for:

memory brain supplements and up came 94 supps. I kinda liked MindCare.....

Caroline, I think that looking for dietary supplements which may reduce the risk of AD is a good plan.

My wife has begun to do this - her maternal uncle died from AD as well so she is concerned about genetic risk factors.

The information in this (fairly technical) paper could help you and your friend to decide which dietary supplements might be of benefit; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202787/ .

Thanks Kiwi,
I agree it is probably multiple issues.
You and your wife deserve a pat on the back.
Dying peacefully is all we can ask. I am sorry for your loss but hopefully you feel good knowing you both did your best.
I appreciate you sharing your info and experience.
D.

Hi again, Diandra. I was hoping you might get more direct responses too.

I totally agree with what you’re saying, though. My uncle was always a gentle man, and I never really ever heard him raise his voice in anger, not even once. When he started developing symptoms of dementia, he actually became an even nicer person. Whenever I would visit, he would smile when he saw me and he was unfailingly polite to me, helping me to a chair in the room, asking me if I wanted something to eat or drink, etc.

The problem came when he wasn’t able to recognize some people he knew any more, and my cousin then insisted that he needed diagnosis and treatment. I think the reason my aunt was so traumatized by the eventual incidents of violence is that it came from such a gentle soul, and I don’t think she ever believed that the violent behavior was actually a side effect from the medication, even though the doctors told her it was.

Diandra, I am sorry to read about your mother. Please don't hesitate to get in touch by PM if you would like somebody who has been where you are to listen to you.

Now, coming back to the theme of this discussion, I can think of circumstances where a differential diagnosis (AD vs something else) could be helpful. If it is "something else" then effective treatments may be available.

Other contributors have mentioned Namenda and Aricept - my m-i-l was offered both of them. My wife, using her enduring power of attorney status, refused. She checked with me first - their effects are at best marginal (day job skills investigation) though no doubt they are sources of income for the drug companies who sell them.